St Mark's Lutheran lcmc Church
Confession of Faith
We confess the Gospel, recorded in the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessional Writings, as the power of God to create and sustain the Church for God's mission in the world.
Why We Confess
A confession of faith is not a wall that keeps people out — it is a window that lets light in. We confess not to define who belongs, but to declare what is true: that God, in Jesus Christ, has acted for the salvation of the world.
We confess for the purpose to -worship as the Word of God is preached and the sacraments are administered. To provide pastoral care and assist all members within the church and the community- to challenge, equip and support as they carry out their calling in their daily lives in both community, home and within the congregation. OUR MISSION field begins when we drive off the church grounds.
Holy Scripture
We believe, teach, and confess the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as inspired Word OF God are the sole authoritative source and norm for Christian faith, life, proclamation, and fellowship.
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."
2 Timothy 3:16
The Ecumenical Creeds
We confess the three Ecumenical Creeds as faithful summaries of the Christian faith, drawn directly from Holy Scripture.
The Apostles' Creed
The oldest and simplest summary of the Christian faith — confessing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the work of each in creation, redemption, and sanctification.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth...
The Nicene Creed
Formulated at the Council of Nicaea (325 AD) and expanded at Constantinople (381 AD), this creed defends the full divinity of Christ and the Holy Spirit against heresy.
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen...
The Athanasian Creed
A detailed confession of the Trinity and the two natures of Christ, used historically to guard the Church against theological error.
Whoever desires to be saved must, above all, hold the catholic faith...
The Lutheran Confessions
The Lutheran Confessions in the Book of Concord (1580) are not new doctrines — they are a faithful exposition of the one holy catholic and apostolic faith as taught in Holy Scripture.
The Augsburg Confession (1530)
Presented to Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Augsburg, this is the primary confessional document of the Lutheran Church. It presents the evangelical faith in its fullness and catholicity, demonstrating that Lutheran teaching is not innovation but faithful recovery of the ancient faith.
The Apology of the Augsburg Confession (1531)
Written by Philip Melanchthon in defense of the Augsburg Confession, the Apology provides a thorough theological exposition of justification by grace through faith — the article on which the Church stands or falls.
The Smalcald Articles (1536)
Written by Martin Luther at the request of Elector John Frederick, these articles identify the points of doctrine on which no compromise with Rome was possible, centering on the Gospel and the office of Christ.
The Small Catechism (1529)
Luther's Small Catechism — covering the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, Baptism, Confession, and the Lord's Supper — remains the foundational teaching document of Lutheran congregations worldwide.
The Large Catechism (1529)
A more expansive treatment of the same six chief parts, written for pastors and teachers. The Large Catechism is a treasury of pastoral and theological wisdom for the whole Church.
The Formula of Concord (1577)
Written to resolve theological controversies among Lutherans after Luther's death, the Formula of Concord reaffirms the central teachings of the Reformation and provides a clear, unified confession for the Lutheran Church.
The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
Romans 1:16This is not a creed we recite from memory alone. It is a living confession — one that shapes how we worship, how we serve, and how we welcome every person who walks through our doors. We invite you to confess it with us.